Photoprinting and processing device



' April 8, 1969 I M. FRIEDEL 3,437,409

PHOTOPRINTING AND PROCESSING DEVICE Filed Ma 19, 1966 Sheet of 5 w v W 16 k a I a F G. W Z/ 27 1 W 3' r H a 26 .J x I I, M I N wi l TOR.

I may /P/0A A ril 8, 1969 M. FRIEDEL 3,437,409

PHOTOPRINTING AND PROCESSING DEVICE Filed ma 19, 1966 Sheet 3 of 5 INVENTOR. fizmmr 5 /5054 M. FRIEDEL April 8, 1969 PHOTOPRINTINQ AND PROCESSING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1966 Sheet INVENTOR. //0/P/e4 FP/EDEL April 8, 1969 M. FRIEDEL PHOTOPRINTING AND PROCESSING DEVICE Fil ed May 19. 1966 Sheet 4 of5 -April 8, 1969 M. FRIEDEL 3,437,409 I PHOTOPRINTING AND PROCESSING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1966 Sheet 5 of 5 f] 22: "6 ya 4 INVENTOR. Map/e4 r fP/goa 4 cZZa/Z WW United States Patent US. Cl. 35521 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A photographic copying device having a light tight space Within which light sensitive material is carried and exposed, a control station from which the copying process can be carried out and an adjustable copy receiving board illuminated by movable lamps carried by the copying device and positioned from the control station.

This invention relates to a photocopying and photoprinting device for copying and printing type, pictures, and other graphic representations on flexible sheets. The invention has particular reference to a structure and method for adjusting the size of the printed copy, for adjusting the light source to produce the right illumination, and for other convenient means for handling the photographic components during a printing and developing operation, all from a central operating station.

In the process of photoprinting and photocopying it is often necessary to cover a large range of object-to-image ratios to produce the desired results. To cover this range with adequate illumination of the object requires considerable adjustment of lamp spacing and timing. Also, various types of printing paper or film may be used and these have an extended range of optimum exposure speeds.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible single machine which is capable of printing and copying objects of various sizes, developing, fixing and drying the exposed emulsions, while permitting an operator to make extensive adjustments of alignment and area positioning.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the space required for a complete photocopying and photoprinting machine and eliminate the need for a darkroom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a photocopying and photoprinting device compact enough to be moved about from one working location to another and which does not require connection to an outside Water supply.

One of the features of the present invention is its novel lens adjusting means whereby the ratio of image to object may be altered by an operator by simply turning a dial knob or by switching on a motor.

Another feature of the invention is a means for permitting an operator to first move a piece of unexposed sensitized paper from a storage compartment to an exposure position and then, after the paper has been exposed, move the paper to an automatic developing and fixing means.

Another feature of the invention is its novel control means of adjusting and operating a lamp which provides the object with an optimum level of illumination.

The invention consists of the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, there are illustrated several forms of embodiment of the invention, in which drawings, similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

3,437,409 Patented Apr. 8, 1969 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a complete embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable means Within the machine which adjusts the optical system to maintain the light rays in focus and to adjust the position of the lamps for different enlargement or reduction ratios.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a split-back platen for holding a sheet of sensitized film or paper.

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the movable plate glass cover and its associated base glass.

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the platen showing how the device is opened to insert a sheet of sensitized paper.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view showing the optical system, the position of the paper storage compartment and the automatic developing system.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of the exposure chamber showing the details of the hand holes and their flexible components.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded isometric view of the hand holes showing the details of all the components.

FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of the control means which operates the lens diaphragm for an exposure setting and for viewing.

10 is an exploded view of the lamp housing including the lamp, its reflector and a lamp heating unit.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the entire printing and copying mechanism is mounted on a base 1-5 which is equipped with wheels 16 for moving from one location to another. A pair of handles 17 enable an operator to control the movement of the machine. At one end of the base, a copy board 18 is secured on a pair of brackets 20 by means of stub shafts 21 (see also FIGURE 2). 'A copy board 18 may be rocked to a horizontal position on shafts 2t1 to facilitate the accurate mounting of a document to be copied.

A source of light 22 (shown in detail in FIGURE 10: is mounted on a reflector base 23 and is adjustably secured by means of arms 24. The copying lens 25 (see FIGURE 6) is mounted on a vertical panel 26 and a collapsible bellows 27 is connected between the lens panel and main machine housing 28. Details of these mechanisms will be described hereinafter.

The main housing 28 includes a mirror 30 (shown in FIGURE '6), a transparent frame 31 for holding a sensitized sheet or plate in the lens image plane, a storage compartment 32 for holding a supply of sensitized sheets, and a complete developing, fixing tank and drying means 33. The developing tanks 33a are supplemented by an entry slide 34 for receiving the exposed sensitized sheet, a motor 35 and automatic switch, for pushing the sheet through the tanks 33a. Also, a fan 36 and a heater 37 maintain the developing and fixing solutions at a desired temperature as well as providing warm air for drying processed prints.

An electrical control panel 38 (sse FIGURE 1) is mounted at the end of the machine opposite to the copy board 118. The control panel 38 contains switches for turning on the fan motor 36, the lamp 22, a motor 40 (see FIGURE 2) for automatically changing the ratio of reduction or enlargement of the image, and other electrical controls which will be described hereinafter. Just above the electrical control board 38 is a scale 41 and a pointer 42 which indicate the ratio of the image size to the object size. A hand operated knob 43 is mounted to the left of the control board 38 and is coupled to the focusing system run by motor 40. This knob is for fine adjustment of the focusing and proportioning system as will be explained later.

Above scale 41 two hand holes 44 and 45 are positioned for an operator to manipulate the sensitized sheets with both hands in the image holder for proper sheet alignment and, after exposure, place the sheet on the guide tray 34 for processing. The hand holes 44 and 45 permit exceptional flexibility for an operator. The hand hole structure (shown in detail in FIGURE 8) includes six rubber or plastic arm pieces (94a-f) which exclude the ambient light from entering the enclosed space. The mounting flange 46 (FIGURES -7 and 8), to which the arm pieces are secured, can be moved horizontally, this movement being permitted by two accordion pleated barriers 47. The entire hand hole structure can be lifteda considerable distance, if desired, as indicated in FIG- URE 7.

The top panel 48 on the operator end of the machine is made of ruby glass or plastic so that an operator can look through it to position the sensitized sheet. A light hood '50 (see FIGURE 1) is mounted above this glass panel to shield the panel and the operator from the light of the lamp 22 when the object is illuminated.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 2, means are provided for shifting the lens and lens panel at the same time the copy panel 1 8 is shifted. 'Dhe shifting means includes a first cable 51 secured to the bracket 20 which holds the copy panel 18. Cable 51 moves on a plurality of pulleys 52 and one end of the cable is terminate by a spiral spring 53 mounted in a case secured to the machine frame. Cable 51 is secured to one side of bracket 20 and another and similar cable 51a is secured to the other side of bracket 20. These two cables are connected together and are then connected to a central portion of a double snail cam 49. The snail cam is formed with a groove in its edge and, as the cam turns, the cable 51 is drawn from the position in FIGURE 2 and wrapped around the edge of either cam portion depending upon its direction of rotation. Cam 49 is secured to a gear wheel 54 which is turned by a worm gear 55. The worm is coupled to motor 40 for fast movement and also to a hand wheel 43 for fine adjustment. The coupling means may be a plurality of sprocket wheels and chains.

A second cable 6 is secured to one side of a base structure 57 on which the lens 25 (see also FIGURE 6) and the lens panel are mounted. An extension of this cable is terminated by a return spring 58. A similar cable 56a is secured to the other side of base structure 57 and also has an extension which is terminated by a second return spring 60. The other ends of the cables are run over pulleys 611 and 62 and are then secured to a pulley (not shown) under gear 54. When the motor 40 or hand Wheel 43 is turned, the worm gear '55 turns both the pulley under gear 55 and the double snail cam 49. The copy board 18 and the base 57 are both shifted by varying amounts but always maintaining the lens 25 in focus.

FIGURE 2 also shows an additional automatic adjusting means for moving the lamp housings 22 (see FIG- URE 1). A cam track 63 is mounted under base 57 and a cam follower 64 moves along the track as the base is moved to focus the lens. The cam follower 64 is secured to a rack 65 journaled so as to move transversely across the machine. Rack 65 meshes with pinion 66 which turns a second pinion =67 meshing with two racks 68 and 70. Rack 68 is secured to a channel 71 and a first lamp bracket 24 (see FIGURE 11). In a similar manner, rack 70 is secured to channel 72 and a second lamp frame 73. As base 57 is moved longitudinally to change the ratio of enlargement, the above described mechanism moves both lamps toward or away from the copy board and copy board optical axis, thereby changing the intensity of illumination of the object to agree with the requirements of the optical and photographic system.

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 show the details of the paper holder 31. This holder is positioned under the top ruby glass panel 48 on top of the machine (see FIGURE 1) but lower than the hand holes 44 and 45. The holder 31 includes a clear glass base sheet 74 permanently set in a wooden frame 75. The top portion of the holder includes two ground glass panels 76 and 77, the first panel 76 being set in a frame 78 secured to a hinge 80 which per mits the operator to raise the panel and slip a sensitized sheet 81 between the panels 76 and 74 prior to an exposure. The second top panel 77 is also set in a frame 82 and is connected by a pair of hinges 83 to frame 78. A handle 84 is provided for easy handling. A series of lines may be engraved or printed on the lower surface of panel 76, as indicated in FIGURE 3, to help the operator in aligning the sensitized sheet 81.

When the operator first raises glass panel 77 and its frame 82, the back panel 76 is in contact with the lower glass panel 74. In order to raise panel 76, a tab 85 is secured to each hinge and a short stud 86 is mounted adjacent to the hinge so that an extended movement of frame 82 (see FIGURE 5) brings tab 85 into contact with the top end of stud 86 and the glass panel 76 is raised to permit the insertion, or withdrawal, of a sensitized sheet 81.

FIGURE 6, described above, is a diagrammatic representation of the optical system and some related structures. Light from the copy board 18 is received by lens 25, and reflected by mirror 30 onto an image plane between clear glass panel 74 and ground glass panels 76-77. FIGURE 6 also shows the general position of the storage compartment 32 and the automatic developing and fixing tanks 33 and 33a. Optical systems, such as shown in FIGURE 6, sensitized storage compartments and automatic developing systems are old in the art and do not form the novel parts of this invention and for this reason they will not be described in letail.

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the darkroom space where the operator positions the sensitized sheets prior to and after an exposure. In order to permit the operator an extended movement of his hands and arms, the top portion 48 of the enclosure is coupled by a hinge 87 to a flexible panel 88 which slides in a slot 90. Also, a lower flexible panel 91 slides up and down, in a slot 92 so that the frames 46, which hold the hand hole diaphragms, can be raised and pushed away from the operator to get more paper from the storage compartment 32 or enter an exposed sheet into the developing and fixing device 33 (FIGURE 6). Side panels 93, shown in FIGURE 1, maintain a light-tight barrier during such an operation.

The details of the hand hole frames and their flexible diaphragms are shown in FIGURE 8. This exploded view indicates how the accordion pleated barriers 47 are secured to the main frame 46. Within the frame 46, six flexible diaphragm elements 94a to 94 inclusive, are mounted. Two of these elements 94a and 94 have central holes, the other four elements 94b to Me are triangular in shape, partially overlap each other and close the frame aperture from light when not in use. When the operator pushes a hand and part of his wrist or arm through the hole in element 94a, the next four elements are moved to one side but their resiliency keeps the longest edge of each triangular element in light-tight contact with the operators wrist or arm. The six intermediate elements may be made of rubber sheet. The outer frame 46 and the interior element 95 are made of stiff material such as metal or Bakelite.

The structure shown in FIGURE 9 is to permit an operator to preset the diaphragm of the lens 25 so that a proper exposure can be made. The structure includes the lens 25, a diaphragm pin 96, a flexible band 97 and two idler cams 98 and 100. One end of band 97 is secured to a plunger 101 which is part of a solenoid 102, the winding 103 of the solenoid encloses part of the plunger and is connected in series with a source of electrical potential (not shown) and a switch operated by a button or knob positioned inside the darkroom space. The other end of band 97 is coupled to a spring 104 mounted on the lens board 26 and resiliently stressing the band so that the plunger is pulled down and limits against the top end of a movable rack 105. Rack 105 meshes with a pinion 106 secured to one end of a shaft 107. Shaft 107 extends through a cover (not shown) and is terminated by a knob 108', available to the operator. Knob 108 has a pointed end which indicates the f: stop number of the diaphragm aperture on a scale 110. The rack 105' may be movably mounted in any convenient manner, the rollers 111 shown in FIGURE 9 being one manner of support. A limit block 112 limits the downward travel of the rack.

Adjustment of the diaphragm is made by turning knob 10:8 to the desired f: stop number. The idler earns 98 and 100 provide a non-linear motion to the diaphragm pin so that the f numbers on dial 110 are more evenly spaced. When using paper or film that is quite sensitive, the diaphragm must be stopped down so that a reduced amount of illumination is applied to the image plane and ground glass panels 76 and 77 (see FIGURES 3 and 7). It is difiicult to focus the image under these circumstances and the solenoid 102 (plus a manually operated switch) is provided to move the band 97 and open the diaphragm to its maximum setting. Then the focus is adjusted, the switch is opened and the apparatus is in condition for the insertion of the film and an exposure.

Details of the exposure lamp are shown in FIGURE 10. The lamp housing 23 may be made of sheet metal or any other protective material. A thermal insulator board 113 is first placed in the housing. Next, a reflector 114 is mounted on the board. This reflector is preferably made of metal but any suitable reflecting surface may be used. A strip of electrical insulation 115 is next mounted on the reflector 114 and on this an electrical heating unit 116 is mounted. The lamp 22 is secured to the heating unit so that a predetermined current applied to the heater unit will raise the temperature of the lamp to its optimum discharge condition. The preheated temperature controlled lamp makes the exposure'more uniform, saves warm up time and eliminates the need for continuous burning.

The operation of each part of the photographic device has been described in connection with each of the part descriptions. The operation of the composite device should be evident from these descriptions. The object to be copied is first placed on board 18. The lamps are lighted and the diaphragm is adjusted for the desired f: stop number. Then motor 40 (FIGURE 2) is started and run until the pointer 42 indicates the proper ratio of enlargement or reduction. The operator now adjusts knob 43 for fine size ratio adjustment in the image plane. This adjustment is made with solenoid 102 activated and the lens diaphragm fully open. After the fine adjustment, the lens shutter is closed, the sensitized paper is place-d in the image plane and the exposure is made. Then, the exposed paper is, placed on tray 34 and sent through the developer and fixing tanks.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A photographic device for copying an object comprising, a control station, an optical system for focusing the light from an object in an object plane onto a photographically sensitized sheet in an image plane, said optical system including a lens mounted on a movable panel, means at said control station to move the lens panel, a copy board for holding the object in the object plane, said copy board also mounted for movement to change the ratio of reduction or enlargement, means at said control station to move the copy board, a reflecting mirror mounted between the lens and the image plane, and a hinged holder mounted in the image plane for the insertion and removal of a sensitized sheet, a pair of movable lamps positioned adjacent to said copy board for illuminating an object on the board, spaced movable brackets to support the lamps, a frame movable toward and away from the copy board to carry the said brackets, a cam secured to a base portion of the device, a cam follower operated by said cam and coupled to said brackets for moving the brackets and lamps as the ratio of enlargement is varied, enclosing means above said hinged holder and adjacent to the control station for creating a light-tight space where an operator can load and unload the holder, and an adjustable diaphragm mounted adjoining said lens and mechanically connected to a manually operable knob at the control station for adjusting the diaphragm openings, said diaphragm also connected to a solenoid for momentarily opening the diaphragm in order to adjust the focus of the optical system.

2. A photographic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lamps are gaseous discharge lamps and are respectively mounted adjacent to an electrical heater for raising the temperature of the lamps to an operating condition.

3. A photographic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of hand holes is mounted in one of the walls of said enclosing means above the control station for permitting an operator to insert his hands into the light-tight space, said hand holes including a plurality of flexible triangular light barriers held in a frame.

4. A photographic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enclosing means includes a hinged top panel for raising the panel to provide a larger space for the operator, two overlying side portions for maintaining a lighttight enclosure when the top is raised, and a flexible front sheet normally held in a slot.

5. A photographic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a viewing panel is mounted as the top wall of said enclosing means so that an operator can view the hinged holder and adjust a sensitized sheet in the holder, said viewing panel transmitting red light but opaque to other wave lengths which would expose the sensitized paper.

6. A photographic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a flexible band is employed as the coupling means between the diaphragm and the knob, one portion of said band being secured to a diaphragm operating pin, and a pair of idler cams in contact With said band for changing the coupling ratio between the diaphragm and the knob.

7. A photographic device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a rack and pinion are also employed as the coupling means between the diaphragm and the knob.

8. A photographic device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said solenoid includes a plunger and a winding, said plunger secured to one side of said band, said plunger also in contact with a portion of the rack, whereby the plunger can be activated to open the diaphragm without changing the rack position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1960 Alues 88-24 9/1965 Doherty 8824 US. Cl. X.R. 

